Ducatto 2.3 JTD

unfit2006

Hi Folks,

I may be going to look at a '03 Ducatto camper during the week. It has the 2.3 JTD engine with about 50k miles up.
Is there anything I should be particularly looking out for with the mechanical end of things on that model ?

Thanks for any any advice you can give.

Donaldo

Check the chassis under the battery tray for corrosion. Mine failed VRT test last year on that and not an easy fix. Testers weren't too bothered for years but are coming down hard on it now,.

unfit2006

^^^ Thanks for that. Will keep that in mind.

How are they for engine/clutch/gearbox. Is that the model with the 5th gear problem or had they it sorted by then ? I think that the gearbox changed after the 2002 facelift but I'm not sure. Suppose I'll know when I look at it.

Any other problems or issues to look out for ?

SeamusG97

50k miles would be about a year's mileage for a commercially used van - being a motorhome it has probably not been abused or thrashed to death by the previous owner so its unlikely to be in bad mechanical condition.

I'd look for age related things ( such as rust as mentioned above ) or the state of the tyres - they degrade with age even if not worn.

Assuming it's a coachbuilt - a motorhome - then things like dampness are a lot higher up on the list of things to look at. Rot can kill a van and isn't always that easy to detect.

unfit2006

Thanks for that . Will be checking closely for damp, corrosion, accident damage etc. They seem to b a fairly reliable unit on the mechanical front. Certainly very popular as base vehicle for campervans and motorhomes.

Nekarsulm

The front chassis rail, across under the radiator seems to rust at a far greater rate than anything else.
At least mine is.
Was in a breakers yard last year and they had a 05 Ducati in with the front broken in two with rust in that location.

crabbypaddy

Nekarsulm wrote: »

The front chassis rail, across under the radiator seems to rust at a far greater rate than anything else.
At least mine is.
Was in a breakers yard last year and they had a 05 Ducati in with the front broken in two with rust in that location.

I've come across a couple of people that had them galvanised. A new one one only €80 on ebay though so not such a big deal, the mounting points can be an issue though there are two layers of steel here that water gets trapped between and they rust from the inside out.

crabbypaddy

I can also recommend getting complete engine guard - costs as little as €50 delivered from poland. There are abs and hdpe versions, can only find the hdpe version today:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-DUCATO-CITROEN-JUMPER-RELAY-PEUGEOT-BOXER-94-06-UNDER-ENGINE-COVER-NEW-/170329087597?hash=item27a8679e6d:g:askAAOSw3utY749e

Lanshane

crabbypaddy wrote: »

I can also recommend getting complete engine guard - costs as little as €50 delivered from poland. There are abs and hdpe versions, can only find the hdpe version today:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-DUCATO-CITROEN-JUMPER-RELAY-PEUGEOT-BOXER-94-06-UNDER-ENGINE-COVER-NEW-/170329087597?hash=item27a8679e6d:g:askAAOSw3utY749e

Well I never thought of that. I have a 2013 Ducato and noticed the other day that the bottom of the sump was starting to rust badly in spots (known issue). I presume from salty roads etc. I sanded it down and applied 2 coats of red oxide and a black paint to finish. Should be fine. I did notice that there was a cover under the alternator/air con pump side, but nothing else was covered. I just stupidly assumed that there was none, until I seen your link. I'll be getting a kit, €90 should cover it. Hell of a lot cheaper than a new sump and whatever else decides to start corroding! I put it down to lazy mechanics who just can't be bothered putting these things back on correctly, which is why I try and do most of the work myself. Thanks!

crabbypaddy

Lanshane wrote: »

Well I never thought of that. I have a 2013 Ducato and noticed the other day that the bottom of the sump was starting to rust badly in spots (known issue). I presume from salty roads etc. I sanded it down and applied 2 coats of red oxide and a black paint to finish. Should be fine. I did notice that there was a cover under the alternator/air con pump side, but nothing else was covered. I just stupidly assumed that there was none, until I seen your link. I'll be getting a kit, €90 should cover it. Hell of a lot cheaper than a new sump and whatever else decides to start corroding! I put it down to lazy mechanics who just can't be bothered putting these things back on correctly, which is why I try and do most of the work myself. Thanks!

They don't some as standard with the full undertray, but I know what you mean there about mechanics there was an independant vw specialist near where I used to live the skip out the back was always full of undertrays

I think theres a nicer kit for the 250 thats in three pieces the 230/244 kit comes off in one piece although there are access covers for the sump / filter and gearbox drain plugs.

Lanshane

crabbypaddy wrote: »

They don't some as standard with the full undertray, but I know what you mean there about mechanics there was an independant vw specialist near where I used to live the skip out the back was always full of undertrays

I think theres a nicer kit for the 250 thats in three pieces the 230/244 kit comes off in one piece although there are access covers for the sump / filter and gearbox drain plugs.

This is the kit I was looking at, http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Fiat-Ducato-Peugeot-Boxer-Citroen-2006-2017-Under-Engine-Cover-Fitting-Kit-/172499292958?hash=item2829c2531e%3Ag%3ASmEAAOSwOgdYtaUC&_trkparms=pageci%253A0f1abe52-45d9-11e7-a7e4-74dbd1801de2%257Cparentrq%253A5d914b6a15c0a9cbdfacaf73fffcf6f1%257Ciid%253A1
Mine is a left hand drive, I presume it should still fit OK?

crabbypaddy

Lanshane wrote: »

This is the kit I was looking at, http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Fiat-Ducato-Peugeot-Boxer-Citroen-2006-2017-Under-Engine-Cover-Fitting-Kit-/172499292958?hash=item2829c2531e%3Ag%3ASmEAAOSwOgdYtaUC&_trkparms=pageci%253A0f1abe52-45d9-11e7-a7e4-74dbd1801de2%257Cparentrq%253A5d914b6a15c0a9cbdfacaf73fffcf6f1%257Ciid%253A1
Mine is a left hand drive, I presume it should still fit OK?

That looks like the one, an yes lhd / rhd makes no difference. Handy that its a complete kit I had to order the fine pitch bolts from mine specially.

unfit2006

I notice the front rail on my one is a bit scabby. Will sand it and treat it with something before it gets any worse.
Interesting to read that they didnt come with undertrays as standard. I thought that someone had discarded the one off mine at some stage in its life.
Will buy that one off Ebay. Thanks for the link.